Ford B-Max to debut at Mobile World Congress

The Easy Access door system uses central body pillars integrated into the sliding rear doors of the B-MAX and is claimed to be a significant leap forward in vehicle design as it enables unprecedented access

Ford's decision to launch its new B-MAX at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 27 will make it the first car ever to be released at the mobile industry's annual mecca event, and indicates just how important mobile communications have become in automotive buyer decisions.

The B-MAX's very clever Easy Access Door System was thought to be the key selling feature of the new B-MAX, but Ford claims that the as yet undisclosed new technologies to debut on the vehicle will make it "among the most technologically advanced small cars on the market."

The Easy Access door system uses central body pillars integrated into the sliding rear doors of the B-MAX and is claimed to be a significant leap forward in vehicle design as it enables unprecedented access.

The most intriguing part of the Ford's use of moveable central body pillars will be answered when the media finally gets its hands on the B-MAX and we finally see how all Ford's computer simulations on the B-MAX's body rigidity translate to to the vehicle's handling. Ford claims the strategic use of high-strength steels in key parts of the body have enabled the chassis to maintain high torsional rigidity.

The B-MAX had previously been announced to debut at Geneva, but now we know the B-MAX will debut at MWC, and that executive chairman Bill Ford will be one of the keynote speeches at the conference. It will be interesting to see just what new technologies will be introduced.

The B-MAX will still makes its planned debut to the automotive world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6.

Little else is known about the car, apart from its intended engine range which includes a new 1.0-litre 120PS EcoBoost petrol engine and a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine.